Gut-check Day For The Lpga

Ill Paula Creamer, right, and seven other pros square off for $1 million payday

November 23, 2008|By Randall Mell Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH — Paula Creamer doubled over in pain in the middle of the 18th fairway late Saturday afternoon at the ADT Championship at Trump International.

She winced and shook her head.

Welcome to the most gut-wrenching championship in women's golf.

In Creamer's case, it is a real test of survival as she plays through abdominal pain.

Despite doubling over throughout her round, Creamer shot a 2-under-par 70, earning one of eight spots in today's shootout for $1 million, the richest first-place check in women's golf.

So much rides in the balance as a victory in this season-ending championship will catapult Creamer to the top of the LPGA money list, making her the first American to win the money title since Betsy King 15 years ago.

The question today isn't how quickly Creamer starts but whether she will make her 9:40 a.m. tee time.

She ended play concerned she might have appendicitis. IMG Senior Vice President Jay Burton said she was admitted to Bethedsa Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach early Saturday evening for observation but offered no details on her condition.

"She will held overnight," he said. "A decision on whether she plays or not will be made in the morning."

If Creamer can't play today, she won't be replaced in the field.

Creamer, 22, said she was hit with stomach pain Wednesday night and it hasn't subsided.

"I have a lot of pain in my stomach," she said. "The best feeling is hunched over."

Creamer survived Saturday on two pieces of toast, a bagel and three bites of a banana.

"One more day, that's what I keep telling myself," she said.

Creamer survived Saturday's cut from 16 to eight along with Suzann Pettersen (68), Angela Stanford (69), Seon Hwa Lee (70), Ji-Yai Shin (71) and Jeong Jang (71). Boynton Beach's Karrie Webb and Eun-Hee Ji survived a three-way playoff for the final two spots. They both two-putted for par at the lone playoff hole at No. 17. Sun Young Yoo was eliminated with a bogey.

Scorecards will be wiped clean for today's shootout.

Helen Alfredsson endured her own share of pain after making a confusing triple bogey at the final hole. She was 1 under and within the cut line for today's shootout until pushing her approach into the water.

Struggling to take a drop on the steep slope right of the green, Alfredsson conferred with a rules official and placed her ball. Her chip failed to reach the green and was rolling back toward the water when she reached out behind the hazard line and caught the ball with her right hand.

"This was a violation of Rule 1-2, player exerting influence on the ball after it is moving after a stroke," said Doug Brecht, the LPGA's vice president of rules and officials.

The penalty, however, was waived due to "committee error." Brecht said a miscommunication between Alfredsson and a rules official led to Alfredsson believing she could stop the ball from going into the water.

In the end, it didn't matter whether Alfredsson made 7 or 9, she wouldn't have made the cut and loss of her $14,000 payday for disqualification was never an issue because she never left the scoring area after signing her card.

INFORMATIONAL BOX:

ADT Chmpionship

When: Today

Where: Trump International, West Palm Beach

TV: 5 6, 3-6 p.m.

Tickets: At the gate, $35.

Directions: Will call and general parking will be located at the corner of Gun Club Road (Ranch House Road) and Congress Avenue. From I-95, go west on Southern Boulevard, turn south on Congress Avenue and follow the signs.

ADT Chip Shots

Inside the ropes: England's Karen Stupples was so frustrated after four-putting the 16th green, she winged her ball into the pond. She thrust her arms into the air to raucous cheers.

Outside the ropes: Betsy King, the last American to win the LPGA Tour money title (1993), was in the gallery watching Saturday. She made $595,992 that entire season, barely half of the $1 million first-place check up for grabs today.

By the numbers: It isn't exactly all or nothing today with $1 million to the winner, $100,000 to second place, $20,500 to third and descending money to $16,250 for eighth place. Everyone eliminated Saturday took home $14,000.